review – Page 19 – Beer Search Party

April 16, 2014September 5, 2018

Video Review – Spring Blonde from New Belgium

Since I was bringing Belgian beers “Up from the Cellar” I thought it fitting to do video reviews of two new New Belgium beers in tandem. And first up is Spring Blonde, which the brewery describes as “Brewed with pale and Munich malts, this golden ale pours bright copper and holds a strong, white head aloft. A nose of lemon peel, pepper, and fresh baked bread entice a sipping. Spring Blonde drinks malty, sweet and wonderful. And the easy Nugget hopping pedals towards a dry, lightly bitter finish.”

But what do I think of it? Watch on to find out….

April 14, 2014September 5, 2018

Review – Odyssey from Sly Fox

90 IBUs!

According to the back of the can, Sly Fox has made “well over” 40 pales and IPAs using different hop combinations and varietals and Odyssey is the capstone to that project. An 8.4% ABV Imperial IPA.

It pours a dark orange color with fast swirling bubbles that quickly recede along with the head. I get a strong dried orange smell alongside some dankness.

It does taste Imperial. The slightly metallic bitterness is sharp at first then really sticks to the roof of the mouth. And it stays there. There is a touch of spice (maybe pepper) in the mix but that dried fruit aroma is mirrored in the taste too. Along with a tiny hint of lemon.

This is certainly one of the happier East Coast IPAs that I have encountered.

April 7, 2014September 5, 2018

Review – Molten Lava from Double Mountain

9% and 90 BU’s in this Imperial IPA from Double Mountain that is new to L.A. This is the “embiggened” version of Hop Lava and it is hot.

That heat is a slight burn of both hop bitterness and that ABV. The aroma is a mixture of dried tropical fruit and the bad sounding but not always bad, cat pee with a tinge of white wine barrel.

It pours a burnished orange color with lots of bubbles rising upward. Bitterness is strong but does fade out before it wears out its welcome. The end is quite dry and continues with the wine character. Plus a touch of dried orange and wheat.

This is a unique Imperial that is more subtle than other muddled palate wreckers.

April 3, 2014September 5, 2018

Review: The Traveler from Adelbert’s Brewery

L.A. gets some Shiner beer and a bit of Jester King and now add Adelbert’s Brewery from Austin. A Mini Texas craft invasion.

Let’s see how The Traveler, a Belgian a Style IPA tastes…

Caged and corked. Making me work for it. This IPA pours a dark orange with lots of foam. The smell is primarily pine. Crisp tree and forest. The bubbly initial taste has that in the mix but then some Belgian banana notes start creeping in along with a tropical dried fruit taste. There is a lingering bitterness but it is light by West Coast standards for sure. Certainly a beer that progresses from flavor to flavor.

It does the job of wanting me to try more of their line-up for sure.

March 29, 2014September 5, 2018

Video Review – Moo Hoo from Terrapin Beer Co.

I am finishing up my epic beer buying binge from Let’s Pour with reviews of two AM oriented beers from Terrapin Beer Company.

First up is Moo Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout…

Here is the brewery description: “The Terrapin “Moo-Hoo” Chocolate Milk Stout proudly uses cocoa nibs and shells from Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Company to give this beer its great taste! An appetizing cold weather treat this sweet stout is rich creamy and uniquely satisfying. Beer and Chocolate together they truly make one of life’s great indulgences.”

March 26, 2014September 5, 2018

Review: Spring Reign from Ninkasi

Thanks to the folks in Eugene, I got hooked up with the spring pale seasonal ale and now is the time to review some Ninkasi beer.

Spring Reign pours a very clear light tangerine color. With little to no head at all. There is a slight citrus aroma to it that fools the drinker into expecting a traditional pale ale but then that first sip and subsequent ones are very British ESB’ish. Loads of minerality to it. That saltiness combined with the grain taste make an interesting combo. As it warms, you get a slight touch of orange at the back.

And us in L.A. are also lucky enough to find their Czech pils, Pravda and their IRA. I would suggest getting all three for an Oregon taste test.

March 24, 2014September 5, 2018

Review – Imperial IPA from Worthy Brewing

Worthy Brewing has graced my ‘fridge (courtesy of my mother who found this in the PDX airport) on two occasions now and both have been pretty good and I would certainly pick the Imperial IPA again. It has lots of citrus taste but with a twist. Tangerine is dominant to me but it is more dried fruit notes. And it is not too heavy for an imperial which usually clock in much higher and put you under the table. I also noticed a background of mango and stone fruit as well which again is usually masked by more bitterness than you find here.

Can’t wait to have more from their line in the future.

March 20, 2014September 5, 2018

Video Review – Wake ‘n’ Bake from Terrapin Beer Co.

I am finishing up my epic beer buying binge from Let’s Pour with reviews of two AM oriented beers from Terrapin Beer Company.

First up is Wake ‘n’ Bake…

Here is the brewery description: “Black as night, this coffee stout is thick, rich and full of real coffee flavor. Brewed with a special blend of beans from all over the world developed and roasted specifically for Terrapin by our friends at Jittery Joe’s Coffee right here in Athens, Ga. This unique blend of coffee produces a robust and flavorful beer that will leave you asking why not beer for breakfast!”

March 19, 2014September 5, 2018

Review – Firestone 805 Blonde Ale

Thanks to the folks up in Paso Robles at Firestone Walker, I got not only a stylin’ hat but the new(ish) to L.A. 805 Blonde ale to review.

Pours a medium yellow with lots of bubbles. Waves of grain taste with this one. From wheat to toast. On top of that sits a honey sweetness. A bit dry at the end to me. For a light beer it has many layers to it. And it has just enough scrubbing bubbles to clean up in the end. This could easily be a great March Madness beer.

And for your reference, here is the official line on the beer:

style
Blonde Ale
abv
4.7
ibu
20
color
7SRM

And stay tuned for a review of their new Barrelworks Opal Saison…..

March 16, 2014September 5, 2018

Review – Global Warmer from Sixpoint

Kinda sad as I pop the cap on what is my last can of Sixpoint Craft Ales. (until my next interweb purchase). But I will solider on and review the Global Warmer….

Global Warmer pours a grapefruit red color with a nice amount of lacing on this one at 7% alcohol by volume and 70 IBU’s and 17 SRM I think they have something to say with the number 7. The taste of it has got a strong grapefruit citrusy of hop bitterness going on vs. caramel sort of malt backbone. Has some peppy carbonation in there too. Tastes stronger than the ABV for sure. I love the label artwork but I am a bit perplexed by the skinny can. Makes me think of energy drinks and not beer.